By KRWG News
New Mexico – New Mexico's unemployment rate dipped slightly in April from the month before, but still remains above the 2009 jobless rate.
The state's unemployment rate was 8.7 percent in April, compared to 8.8 percent in March and 6.6 percent in April 2009.
The federal government says New Mexico's April rate was not measurably different from the previous month.
The state Department of Workforce Solutions says April's rate represents a loss of 15,500 jobs from the previous year.
State officials say government work increased, with the U.S. Census Bureau hiring thousands of temporary workers. State government added 600 jobs and local governments added 500.
The labor department says only the educational and health services sector added private industry jobs. That sector increased by 2,200 jobs over the 12 months.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.